Solar panels in Chandler, AZ
Roofs in Chandler get about 2,022 hours of usable sunlight a year — more than 97% of the cities we've measured. Here's what that means in cost, savings and payback, using real rooftop data rather than a national average.
Check your specific roof in Chandler → City averages are a starting point; your own roof's size, pitch and shading change the answer a lot.
What a typical Chandler solar system costs
A 16-panel system (6.4 kW) is about right for an average Chandler home using 10,800 kWh a year. It would produce roughly 11,000 kWh annually and offset 100% of that usage.
| System | Size | kWh/yr | Net cost | Saves/yr | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 panels | 3.2 kW | 5,500 | $6,384 | $836 | 7.6 yrs |
| 12 panels | 4.8 kW | 8,250 | $9,576 | $1,254 | 7.6 yrs |
| 16 panels | 6.4 kW | 11,000 | $12,768 | $1,649 | 7.7 yrs |
| 20 panels | 8 kW | 13,750 | $15,960 | $1,754 | 9.1 yrs |
| 26 panels | 10.4 kW | 17,874 | $20,748 | $1,910 | 10.9 yrs |
How we worked this out for Chandler
Every number on this page comes from these seven steps. Nothing is a national average — the sunlight figure is measured from Chandler rooftops.
| # | Step | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | What one panel makes here 400W ÷ 1000 × 2,022 sun hrs × 0.85 system losses |
687 kWh/yr |
| 2 | Panels needed to cover typical usage 10,800 kWh ÷ 687 kWh per panel |
16 panels |
| 3 | System size 16 panels × 400W |
6.40 kW |
| 4 | Annual production 6.40 kW × 2,022 hrs × 0.85 |
11,000 kWh/yr |
| 5 | Installed cost 6,400 W × $2.85 per watt, then −30% federal credit |
$12,768 |
| 6 | Annual saving 3,780 kWh used as generated × 15.2¢ + 7,220 kWh exported × 15.2¢ |
$1,649/yr |
| 7 | Payback $12,768 ÷ $1,649 per year |
7.7 years |
Step 6 matters more than it looks. Only 34% of what a system this size produces in Chandler is used the moment it is generated; the other 7,220 kWh is exported and credited one-for-one under net metering. Because exports here are credited at or near retail, that split changes the payback very little — 7.6 years against the 7.7 we show. In places where exports pay a fraction of retail the same split moves payback by years, which is why we model it explicitly rather than assuming.
Assumptions: 400W panels, 15% system losses (inverter, wiring, heat, soiling), $2.85/W installed, 10,800 kWh typical annual household use, 15.2¢/kWh electricity. Change any of those and every figure above moves — which is exactly why a single national "solar costs X" number is misleading.
Notice that payback barely improves as systems get bigger, and eventually gets worse. That's because you can only save money on electricity you were going to buy anyway. Once a system covers your usage, extra panels mostly generate exports at a much lower rate.
Why Chandler gets 2,022 sun hours
That figure comes from Google's analysis of real rooftops across Chandler — it already accounts for shading from trees, chimneys and neighbouring buildings, which is why it's lower than the raw "hours of daylight" figures you'll see elsewhere. An unusually open, unshaded roof in Chandler reaches about 2,045 hours, roughly 1% better than typical.
The numbers behind this page
| Typical usable sunlight | 2,022 hrs/yr |
|---|---|
| Unshaded roof | 2,045 hrs/yr |
| Electricity rate (Arizona avg) | 15.2¢/kWh |
| Installed cost assumed | $2.85/W |
| Panel size assumed | 400 W |
| Federal tax credit | 30% |
| Typical household usage | 10,800 kWh/yr |
| Power used as generated | 34% |
| Paid for exported power | full retail (net metering) |
| Rooftops sampled here | 16 |
| Google imagery from | 2023 |
When Chandler actually produces
Annual totals hide the thing that catches people out: 33% of Chandler's yearly sunlight arrives in May–July, and just 16% across November–January.
| Month | Sun hrs | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 106 | |
| Feb | 134 | |
| Mar | 167 | |
| Apr | 200 | |
| May | 221 | |
| Jun | 229 | |
| Jul | 224 | |
| Aug | 207 | |
| Sep | 179 | |
| Oct | 143 | |
| Nov | 113 | |
| Dec | 99 |
Output is unusually steady — only about 2.3× between Jun and Dec. Chandler is close enough to the equator that seasonal variation is mild, which makes sizing a system considerably more predictable.
The annual total is measured from Google's rooftop imagery. Its split across months is calculated from solar geometry at Chandler's latitude, not separately measured, so treat the monthly figures as the shape of a typical year rather than a forecast.
How Chandler compares to the other 788 cities
| Measure | Chandler | Rank of 788 |
|---|---|---|
| Usable sunlight | 2,022 hrs | 20th |
| Sunlight lost to shade | 1% | 768th most |
| Median roof size | 362 m² | 43rd largest |
| Electricity rate | 15.2¢ | 411th highest |
| Payback | 7.7 yrs | 55th fastest |
| Grid carbon | 631 kg/MWh | 418th dirtiest |
What actually stands out about Chandler:
- Unusually open roofs. Only 1% of available sunlight is lost to obstruction in Chandler — better than all but 20 of the 788 cities measured. Most roofs here get close to their theoretical maximum.
- Plenty of roof to work with. Typical roofs here fit around 125 panels — roughly 7× what an average home needs. Roof size will not be what limits your system in Chandler.
- Large roofs. At a median of 362 m², Chandler has the 43rd-largest typical roof footprint we've measured.
Cities with almost the same sunlight
These are the closest matches to Chandler's 2,022 usable sun hours from other states and provinces. Same sunlight, different electricity prices — which is usually what decides whether solar is worth it.
| City | Sun hrs | Rate | Payback |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roswell, NM | 2,013 | 14.8¢ | 8 yrs |
| Farmington, NM | 2,008 | 14.8¢ | 8 yrs |
| Thousand Oaks, CA | 2,007 | 31.2¢ | 7.9 yrs |
| Odessa, TX | 2,037 | 15.1¢ | 7.8 yrs |
Nearby cities
See all of Arizona → statewide sunlight, rates, incentives and every city we've measured.
Chandler solar questions
How many solar panels do I need in Chandler?
About 16 panels for an average home using 10,800 kWh a year. Chandler roofs get 2,022 usable sun hours, so each 400W panel produces roughly 687 kWh annually. A typical Chandler roof fits about 125 panels, so roof space is unlikely to be your limit.
Is solar worth it in Chandler?
At 15.2¢/kWh and 2,022 sun hours, a typical system pays for itself in about 7.7 years and returns roughly $28,462 over a 25-year panel life. That is a solid return, and it improves further if electricity prices rise. Exported power earns full retail credit here.
How much do solar panels cost in Chandler?
A 6.4 kW system costs about $18,240 before incentives and $12,768 after the 30% federal tax credit. That works out near $2.85 per watt installed. Roof pitch, shading, electrical panel upgrades and equipment choice move the price most, which is why quotes for the same house can differ by thousands.
Worth reading before you buy
Estimates only, generated 2026-08-22 from Google Solar API rooftop samples and average Arizona electricity rates. Not a quote and not financial advice. Your roof, usage, utility plan and local incentives will change these numbers — get real quotes before buying.